Every year around this time, my inbox fills up with the same question from Simply Dachshund readers: “We’re headed to the in-laws for the holidays — is it even worth bringing the dog?” My answer is almost always yes, but a dachshund isn’t quite like other travel companions. That long back, those short legs, and that famously stubborn streak all mean a little extra planning turns a stressful trip into an easy one. I’ve put together everything I’d tell a friend before their first holiday trip with a doxie in tow — car rides, flights, hotel stays, and the back-health details that matter more for our breed than almost any other.
Why Dachshunds Need a Little Extra Travel Planning
Most of the standard “traveling with your dog” advice out there is written with a Labrador in mind, not a dog whose spine is doing most of the structural work of a much bigger breed. Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and the kind of incidents that trigger it — jumping off a tailgate, leaping from an unfamiliar bed, twisting awkwardly to get out of a crate — happen more often during travel, not less. New environments also tend to bring out anxiety in dogs who thrive on routine, and dachshunds are creatures of habit if nothing else. None of this means you should leave your dog behind. It just means the holiday-travel advice that works for most dogs needs a few dachshund-specific adjustments.
Hitting the Road: Car Travel Tips for the Holidays
Car travel is usually the easiest way to bring a dachshund along for the holidays, but “easy” still means “secured.” A dachshund riding loose on a lap or sliding around the back seat is at real risk during sudden stops, and repeated jumping on and off the seat during a long drive adds up over a multi-hour trip. A properly fitted car seat or a crash-tested crate anchored to the seat belt system is the safest way to go, and it also gives your dog a familiar, enclosed space that tends to lower travel anxiety. If you haven’t set one up yet, our guide to dachshund car seats walks through a few options that keep your dog snug without straining their back getting in and out.
Beyond the seat itself, plan for a rest stop every two to three hours so your dog can stretch, drink water, and relieve themselves — skip the dog park at a rest area if it’s crowded with unfamiliar dogs, since that’s exactly the kind of chaotic scramble that can jar a sensitive back. Keep the cabin temperature moderate rather than relying on a cracked window, and never leave your dog alone in the car at a holiday gas-station stop, even “just for a minute” — cold snaps and sudden heat swings are both a real risk in a parked vehicle.
Flying With Your Dachshund: What to Know Before You Book
Because of their size, most dachshunds fly as an in-cabin pet rather than checked cargo, which is the safer option by far if it’s available to you. Every airline has its own carrier dimensions, and they’re not interchangeable — some cap total carrier size at around 17 or 18 inches long, others measure differently, and a carrier that’s fine on one airline can get you turned away at the gate on another. Call or check the airline’s pet policy directly before you book rather than assuming, and do this early: many airlines cap the number of in-cabin pets per flight, and holiday flights fill that quota fast.
Your dog will also need an up-to-date health certificate from your vet, usually issued within 10 days of travel, so build a vet visit into your pre-trip checklist rather than scrambling the week of. Skip sedation unless your vet specifically prescribes it for a documented reason — most veterinary guidance actually advises against sedating dogs for air travel, since it can affect breathing and balance at altitude. Let your dog get comfortable in the travel carrier at home for a week or two before the flight, with treats and short practice sessions, so the carrier itself doesn’t become one more stressor on travel day.
Choosing Pet-Friendly Lodging for the Holidays
Pet-friendly hotel listings can be generous with the label, so confirm the actual policy directly with the property — some allow pets under a certain weight only, some charge a one-time fee versus a nightly fee, and a few only allow pets in specific room types or buildings. Holiday weekends book out fast, so lock in a pet-friendly room well before Thanksgiving or Christmas travel windows hit, and ask about any breed or size restrictions when you call, since weight limits can occasionally exclude even a standard-size dachshund.
Once you’re there, bring along something that smells like home — a familiar blanket or bed liner goes a long way toward helping a dachshund settle into an unfamiliar room. Do a quick safety check of the space before you relax: look for exposed outlets, small gaps under furniture a curious nose might investigate, and any balcony or stairwell access that needs a closed door. If you’re staying with family rather than a hotel, the same basic check applies — a houseful of holiday guests, unfamiliar stairs, and an unlatched gate are easy things to overlook when everyone’s focused on the gathering itself.
Protecting Your Dachshund’s Back While Away From Home
This is the piece of holiday travel advice I wish more general pet sites included: unfamiliar furniture is one of the most common places a dachshund’s back gets hurt on a trip. A dog who confidently jumps on and off their own low couch at home may misjudge the height of a relative’s bed, a tall sofa, or a set of porch steps they’ve never navigated before. Carry your dog up and down any unfamiliar step or ledge rather than letting them attempt it solo, especially in a new environment at night or in low light. If you’re not sure your dog’s back is in good shape heading into a trip with more walking and more novelty than usual, our guide on dachshund back problems is worth a read before you go, so you know the early warning signs to watch for on the road.
A travel ramp that folds flat and fits in a suitcase is a genuinely useful holiday-trip item if you’ll be dealing with beds, cars, or porches that are higher than what your dog is used to at home. It takes up less space than you’d think and removes one of the most common “just this once” jumps that leads to a vet visit instead of a holiday dinner.
Packing List for a Stress-Free Holiday Trip
- Enough of your dog’s regular food for the full trip, plus a few extra days — holiday-week grocery runs in an unfamiliar town are not the time to switch brands
- Any medications or supplements, in their original labeled containers
- A current photo, plus confirmation your microchip information is up to date, in case your dog slips a leash during a hectic family gathering
- A familiar blanket, bed, or toy that smells like home
- A portable water bowl and collapsible food bowl
- Waste bags — more than you think you’ll need
- A copy of vaccination records and your vet’s contact information
- A travel ramp or step, if your destination has stairs, a tall bed, or a tall vehicle your dog isn’t used to
Keeping Holiday Hazards in Mind at Your Destination
Once you’ve arrived, the usual seasonal hazards still apply, just in someone else’s house instead of your own — rich table scraps, chocolate desserts left within nose-height, candles, and decorations with small parts all deserve the same caution you’d use at home. A house full of visiting relatives also means more hands offering “just a little” turkey under the table, so it’s worth a quick, friendly heads-up to the host or other guests about what your dog can and can’t have. If your trip lines up with colder weather, it’s worth a look at our full winter safety guide for cold-weather specifics beyond what’s covered here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to sedate my dachshund for a long car ride or flight?
Generally, no — most veterinary guidance advises against sedating dogs for travel unless your vet has specifically prescribed something for a documented reason, since sedation can affect breathing, balance, and body temperature regulation. If your dog struggles with travel anxiety, talk to your vet about non-sedating options well before your trip.
Can my dachshund sit on my lap during a car ride instead of using a carrier or car seat?
It’s not the safest option. A dog riding loose on a lap has nothing to protect them during a sudden stop or a minor collision, and the natural instinct to brace or jump in a startled moment is exactly the kind of movement that risks a dachshund’s back. A secured car seat or crash-tested crate is a safer choice for any length of trip.
How do I find out if an airline allows dachshunds in the cabin?
Check the airline’s official pet travel policy directly, since carrier size limits, weight limits, and the number of pets allowed per flight all vary by airline and can change. Call ahead to confirm current policy and book your pet’s spot as early as possible, since holiday flights often cap how many in-cabin pets they’ll allow.
What’s the biggest back-safety mistake owners make while traveling?
Letting a dachshund jump on or off unfamiliar furniture — a relative’s tall bed, an unfamiliar couch, or porch steps the dog hasn’t navigated before. At home, a dog has learned the exact height and footing of their own furniture; away from home, that judgment doesn’t transfer, which is why carrying your dog over unfamiliar height changes matters just as much on a trip as it does during recovery from an actual back injury.
Have a Safe, Happy Holiday Trip
A little bit of planning is really all it takes to bring your dachshund along for the holidays without turning it into a stressful ordeal. Secure the car seat, confirm the airline or hotel policy before you leave home, pack the essentials, and keep an eye on unfamiliar furniture once you arrive. Do that, and your dachshund gets to be exactly where they want to be this time of year — right in the middle of the family gathering, under the table, waiting for someone to slip them a little extra turkey.
